MONROE — City officials are eyeing a new ordinance regulating the control of dogs in the Monroe, but so far it isn’t a proposed “leash law.”

The new ordinance was reportedly crafted in response to citizen complaints about loose dogs, including one who reportedly bit a child. But because the city ordinance doesn’t appear to currently call for all dogs to be leashed in all situations some citizens would like the council to take another look at it.

“If I go for a walk anywhere in the city, I feel (dogs) should be on a leash,” said Melissa Even, who lives on 25th Avenue, addressing the council at its meeting last Monday, June 20.  “As a dog owner… I feel physical restraint of an animal is very important.”

Sarah Ragan, who lives on 11th Street, agreed saying it can be traumatic for some people who are afraid of dogs to see them off leash around town. She has a child on the autism spectrum, works as a psychologist/counselor in the area, and has dealt with people who have a deep fear of dogs running loose in public.

“The current leash law is unclear … and I feel without a permanent leash law everyone is at risk,” she said.

Her husband, Jonathan Ragan agreed saying “in or on public property, dogs should be leashed.” 

According to City Clerk Brittney Rindy: “the current city code stated that the animal shall be kept on a leash no more than six feet in length or appropriately restrained. The language of utilizing ‘or’ left it open to interpretation that voice commands could be considered an alternative method of maintaining control.”

Luanne Radke, who lives on 11th Street, also supports a specific leash law and urged the council to include it in the ordinance as a proactive measure against anyone getting hurt by an unleashed dog.

“If you allow that to happen, you are being reactive instead of proactive,” she said. “The majority of people who have dogs in this city believe they have to leash their dogs.”

Council members agreed that with or without the ordinance, pet owners are still responsible if their dog gets loose and hurts someone.

“The new law clarified what methods would be considered having a dog under control by leash or voice command, but no matter the method of control the dog must remain within six feet,” said Rindy following the meeting. “The current ordinance does not give a regulation for distance for methods outside of a leash. “

Rindy also read a letter from Main Street Monroe urging the council to reconsider passing an ordinance without an implicit leash law, especially on or around the square downtown.

“We ask that this be sent back to the appropriate committee for review,” the letter said. “Without leashed dogs in public, there is the possibility of greater general safety issues and difficulty navigating the downtown district.”

And that’s just what the council agreed to do. The proposed ordinance will be again reviewed by council committees before appearing for consideration on any future agenda.

New Ald. Tom Miller also commented about the danger of unleashed dogs near the square, saying at the June 6 meeting that it was an ongoing problem, especially around large public events.

“I saw once where (a dog) took someone’s sandwich,” he said.